Apparatus for handling materials



v Dec. 22, 1931. D. s. BAKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIALS Filed June 29 192 2 Sheets S heet INVENTOR Dec. 22, 1931. D. s. BAKER 1,837,605

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIALS Filed June 29. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1 .331

-: nmrms, BAKER, on ennnnwrox r, comino'ricor iirmmrus Fun nsnnnmc ris'rnniiuls f t paint'ns in which a large number oi" carrying olcments areino-Vecl in single iile past a load- 1 1;,1. W'- 111g stat1on, moi ClQlIfl-hdll they may be loaded coni' eniently, and then closely spaced in mulk 'tiple through atreatinent space, so that iiil on the carrying elements is conveniently ng'ecl' for ti eatinent. In the specific apparatusshownin that applica- 15 ti'on the int yillnal carrying elements iiro cl in sets on 'colla'psilole ca'rriersper a chahge .in the relative position of 1 rng elements of eachncarrier, which is'utilizerl to c:. e a change'in the mo emcnt of the carrying elements from single filejto multiple file While the carriers are moved continuoiisly in one direction. The apparahis to which the present application relates I embodies the hasic inyention' described and '25 claimed in my pic'v ons a'p'pii'cation, hut cliffe is from the apparatus therein shown in that the change; from, single file -moveme'nt toinult-iple .file inoyenient is eiiected by changing tho direction of mote-merit of the carriers; The present invention thus makes it possible toohtain the advantages of single lile and innlt-iple filc movement Without any change in the relative position of the carrying elements of each carrier; thus permittingthe use ofrigid carriers, the invention simplifies, and (lecroasesthecost of, the

apparatus, antl i'enclers it particularly desirable for use in co 'inectionwyith certain classes of material; such, for example, asloaves o f broad. v

Other featlircs mi a(lvantages of the in-- vent-ion are hereinafter pointeii out, in connection with a, detailed description: of an il; lustrative embodiment of the invention, which is shown in theacconipanying clraw ings, in whichz- V Fig. 1 is a sicle elevation, partially (liagrammatic, showing a complete bread-coolingfapparatusj I y 7 i 2 is a frtgmentarysic e' elevation.

.Fig. l respectivelygantl 1 195236. Seir ial Noa'1 19302 showing, on alazger scale, the driving mech-E anism shown atth'ehottom of 1'; I v V lg's. 3 anal- 4 are enlarged transverse sec-a tcons taken" on the l nes 8 3 and {of Fig 5; is an enlargecl 'fragmentaryplan View showing'th'epart. of the apparfatus which 7 appears in the upper left -han'cl' corner-of The apparatus illustrated includes a large number of" carriers 10mm providccl' with' a plurality of carrying elements orshelves i1, and means fo-rmoving these carriers ina closed circuit, which tal ies each carrying ele-" ment past a loacling stationLithroughf 6 treatment space to aftlumpingi'station D, and back to the'loacling station L. 1

Each carrier inclncles a rigid framewhich may consist simply of connectingmemloers or corner posts" 12 to which the carrying (216- ments or shelves 11 are rigidly seciirecl.

Near the top of its name, each carrier is' p'rovi clecl "with two outwardly projecting flanged h e 13 n th ns r 'l en gi guiding means and moving means respec- 1 tivg1y.; The Wheel s :'may conveniently be supported on' a stub 15 fixed in cross- 7 pieces 16 carried. by its'cornerfposts 12.11% fingers i l-may b 'fo'rm; jd"by the ends ofthe axle 15jas shown. The movement ofithe car} ry i g', elements in single file in acommon path, and then in multiple file parallel paths, is obtained by a change in the direction of themovement of each carrier with. respectto the position of itscarrying elements. Thus when the carrying elements are mounted one directly above another, as illustrated, andare all perpenolh n lar;to the connecting members 12, iajmovement of the carrying elements in single rfile in a common path is obtained by'movin'g the carrier in' a direction parallel to its connecting members 12; while a movement Of'ithG carrying ele-v ments in multiple file in parallel paths may he obtained by moving the carriersuinfany other direction, for example, inadirection perpendicular to their connecting members 12; In the apparatus 'illustrated,:mechanism is provided for automatic movement of the I lcarriers in; these two directions in a closed The means for moving the carriers in the apparatus illustrated: include two vertical conveyers 20, 30, andftwo horizontal conveyers 40, 50. Tracks 41, 51 are provided under the lower reaches of the horizontal conveye rs.v The chains 22of theconveyer 20,

which moves thecarriers past the dumping station D and the loading station L, are provided with flights 23,'which are spaced, by a distance, equal to the distance cl between two carrying elements ofa carrier multiplied by thenumber of carrying. elements of zontal conveyers 40, 50, is proportional to each carrier, which, insthe form illustrated,

is four. This distance, 4 d, maybe regarded as the length ofa carrier, and is hereinafterso. designated. The flights 33 of the vertical .conveyer 30 are similarly spaced.

The flights 43, 53 of theconveyers 40, 50 are spaced by a distance w equal to the length of a carrying element *11, or; the width of'a carrier. The ratio of the rates of movement of the vertica'l conveyers 20, 30, and the horithe spaces between theflights of the conveyers, that is to sa thevertical conveyers move through a distance equal to the length of: a carrier in the same time that thehorizontal. conveyers move through a distance equalto the width of a carrier.

'In addition to the four conveyersmen-, tioned, there is a short high speed 7 conveyer for moving the carriers from. the upper'end of the vertical conveyer 20 to the horizontal conveyer i While the invention 151mb limited to any particular means for driving the conveyers'; it

. parts: A sprocket 71 fixed on thisshaft is connected bya driving chain 72 to a sprocket 7 3 fixed on a shaft .55 .which;carries the is desirable that they be interconnected so as to give them the relative rates of movementhereint ofore. specified. 'All' the conveyerslmay convenientlyIbe driven from a common driving shaft70 I "The "horizontal ,conveyers .40, are connected with the shaft 1 70 by the following sprockets 56 over. which, the chains of the. con'veyer pass. The shaft is connected with a shaft 45 of thefconveye'r 40through a sprocket 7 4, chains 5, sprockets and gears 76 sprocket 77 fixed on the s'h'aft'45.

' The vertical conveyer 30is connected with theshaft through gears'ZS, 79, sprockets I 80, 81 and a chain'82.' Thesprocket is larger thanthe sprocket; 71," to. give the. conveyer 30 the more rapid movement above specified. 5 e

Thevertical conveyer 20 may be connected with the shaft 70 in the same manner as the conveyer 30. However, a part'of the inventionlconsists ingiving'the conveyer 20 an in-,

termittent movement bringing each carry to. reverse the direction of motion, and a ing element to rest at the dumping station D and the loading station L, to facilitate loading and emptying the elements. In the form shown, such an intermittent movement is secured by connecting a crank 83, driven by a gear 84'meshing with the gear 78 on the I shaft 70, to an oscillated arm 85, which carries a pawl 86, engaging a ratchet 87 which is connected to the sprocket: shaft 25 of the conveyer '20, through sprocket 88,89 and a chain 90.- A pawl 91- mounted on a fixed pivot 92 engages the ratchet 87 to prevent backward movementof the ratchet and the conveyer 20. Theproportion of the parts is such that during each oscillation of the arm in one directioin'the conveyer 2O-is moved through the distance cl whieh separatessuccessive shelves of each carrier. During the other half of each oscillation of the arm, the conveyer 20 remains stationary Theaverage rate jof movement of the-conveyer 20 is however the same as. that of the conveyer 30.

The conveyor 60 maybe driven from the shaft 45 by means of'sprockets 93, 94 and a idly that its single pair of fiights63 move the length of its lower reach onceflduring each period of rest ofthe conveyer 20.

The operation of the device, which has been described, is as follows :-The fingers 14 of the carriers are'engaged the flights.

23 of the conveyer 20 which carry the carriers upward with a rapid but intermittent movement. When the carriers are in en.-

the lower shelf of the'prec'eding carrier is 'the same as that between the individualv shelves of each carrier. The intermittent up- 7 ward motionbrings each shelfof each car- 19 rier to rest'at a level with. a platform L at the loadingstation L. Whi'le .in this position each shelf isloadedwith materiah'such as loavesofbread, pushed onto it from the platform L ,.Since the shelves-reach and stop .at this platform at regular intervals,\

ward movement. The wheels of the carrier then slide down to an inclined portion 46 of the track 41 into position'to be engaged the flights 43 of the conveyer 40. With their wheels running on the track 41, the carriers are moved slowly by the conveyer 40 with their shelves closely spaced in 'edge-to edge relation. During such movement, the shelves of. the carriers-for n continuous superimchain 95. This conveyer is driven so rap- 9 gagement with these flights, the distance be tween the upper shelf of each carrier and posed traveling supports on which the bread is exposed to the air for cooling.-

As each carrier reaches the end of the conveyer 40, its wheels rundown an inclined portion 47 at the end of the track 41 bringing its fingers into engagement with the flights 33 of the conveyer -80. Thelcarriers are then lowered by the conveyer 30, until their Wheels 13 strike an inclined portion 56 of the track 51, down whichthey slide to bring the fingers into position to be engaged bythe flights 53 of the horizontal conveyer 50. The scarriers while moved by the conveyor 50, are positioned in the same way as; when moved by the conveyer 40. .iThis provides for additional cooling of the bI'GZlClOD the. return: movement. When each carrier reaches the end of the conveyer 50, its wheels roll down to an inclined portion 57 of the track 51, until its fingers are brought into engagement to one of the flights 23 of the conveyer 2-0. During the intermittent upwardmovement of each carrier, each of its shelves stops at the level with a chute D at the dumping sta tion D, so that the bread contained on this shelf may be removed. Since the shelves reach the dumping station at regular intervals, the removal of the bread may be effected by a mechanically driven pusher'D .It should be noted that no power is necessary to operate the apparatus other than that required to overcome the friction of its parts, because the energy given up by the carriers in descending is returned from the conveyor 3 to the shaft 7 0, so that itassists in driving.

the other conveyers.

Whatis claimed is:- v W i 1. Apparatus for handling materials, comprising the combination of a plurality of carrying elements rigidly connected together in sets, means for guiding said carrying elementsin a closed circuit, in parts of which the carlying elements are guided in single file and in the remainder of which they are guided in multiple file, and interconnected means for movingthe carrying elements at a relatively rapid rate in the first-mentioned parts of the circuit and at a relatively slow rate in the remainder of the circuit and maintaining a fixed ratio between the rates of said movements. V

2. Apparatus for handling materials, com-' prising a plurality of carriers each compris mg a plural ty of carrying elements secured to a connecting member, means for guiding maintaining a fixed ratio between the rates' of said movements.

cured to a rigid 'connectingqmember,and

- .8; Apparatus for handling materials, com prising a plurality of carriers-eachcons sting of a number of carrying elements rigidly semeans for so moving the carriers in a closed circuit that in a part of the circuit each car.-

-rier moves longitudinally of its connecting member at relativelyxhi'ghspeed and inane other'part moves at-an-angle to its connecting member at a relatively slow speed. 1 q

i; Apparatus for handling materials,,c'omprising a plurality of carriers each having uniformly spaced superimposed carrying elements held in fixed relation to each other, means for moving each carrierat an 'angle to the horizontal with its ca-rrying'elements following one after another in a common path and with its from carrying element Sepa rated t'rom the rear carrying element of the preceding carrier by "the same distance as that which separates [successive carrying elements of each carrier, a-nd-t'hen 1nov1ng it horizontally with its carrying elements in close :pr'oxe V imity to those of the preceding; carrier" my 5. Apparatus for handling materials,com:,

prising a l plurality of. carrierseach having superimposed carrying elements held in fi'xed' relation to one another, meansfor moving the carriers in a closed circuit having twof-hori: zontal portions, and two ,po'rtionsat an angle. to the horizontal, the speedofthe carriers in the different parts of the circuit being such that the calrying elements of successive car:

riers are closely spaced in aLhorizontjal por:

tion of the circuitfandare. superimposed at.

uniform distancesin; a 'portion'of the circuit 7 incl ned to thehoriz0ntal';

6, Apparatus for handling materialmdcom prising a plurality of carriers ,e'achhaving a number of carrying elements; located direct- -ly one above the other and held-in fixed rela tion to each other, means for moving said carriers in a closed circuit havingtwo hori, zontal portions jand two vertical portions, means for regulating the speed of the carriers so that the carrying elements ofsuccessive carriers are locatediedge-to-edge in the horizontal portions otthe circuit, andare locatedone above 'another at. uniform dista-ncesm a verticalportionof'the'circuit.i f

7.. Apparatus for handling materials, (10111-1 prising. the combination with treatment1' space and an intermittently operating load ing device, of; a plurality of carrying ele ments, and automatic means for moving said elements past the loadingdeviee in single file with. a relatively rapid step-'by-step movement, and then through the treatment space in multiple file with a relatively slowl move ment. y g a ,1 V 8. Apparatusfor handlingmaterials,Jeome prising the combination wiith la. treatment space and an intermittently operating loade, ing' deviceg o'f a plurality. of carrying elee ments, automatic means-for movingisaid Miran W carrying elements past theloadin device uniformly spa-ced insingle file at a irection at anangle to;tlie horizontal with a relatively rapid. step-by-step movement, and then horizontally through. the treatment space in multiple file with a relatively slow movement. v 9; Apparatus for handling materials, comprising the combination with a loading sta- 7 tion, of a pluralityof carriers each'having a number of superimposed carrying elements held in fixed-relation "to oneanother', means for movingthe carriers successively past-the loading-station at an angle to the horizontal with" their carrying elements uniformly spaced in single file and with a step-by-step movement; which brings ea ch carrying element'to rest at the loading station, and then horizontally with their carrying element's closely spaced inimultiple file.

'10. Apparatus for handling materials comprising a plurality of carriers each having: a" number ofsuperimposed carrying ele- I ments held infixed' relationto one another,

means for moving the carriers in a closed circu t having two horizontal port ons and two 7 portions at an angleto the horizontal, one of which is adjac'ent to a loading statioinwith the carrying elements I of successive carriers superimposed atuniform distances in this portionof the circuit' and located-edgeto edge in the horizontal portions of the circuit,

and means for'stopping each carrier momentarily when each of its carrying elementsis at the loading station; 7 j V i 11.; Apparatus for handling materials,com-

V prising a plurality of carriers each having'a length greater than its widthymeans for moving thecarriers successively first'endwise and then sidewise, the ratio between the rate of endwise' and the rate ofth'e sidewisemovemovement during a period endsto-end duringthe endwise movement and closely side-by-side during the sidewise movement, and means .forcausing: a rapid sidewise movement of each carrier after its endwisemovement' and before-its slow side- Wise movementin orderto move it out of the way of thev following carrier.

14. Apparatus for handling materials,

comprising carrierseach, having a length greater than its Width, meansfor moving said carriers successively firstendwise with a rela tively rapidintermittent movement and then sidewise with a relativelyv slow continuous movement, so that the carriers are spaced closely end-to-end during the endwise movement and closely sid-by-Side during the sidetions, interconnectedmeans at one end of the tracks for rapidly lowering each carrier from the upper track tothe lowertrack, and interconnected means at the opposite end of the tracks forrapidly raisingeach carrier :trom the lower track to theupper track. t y

,In' testimony whereof :I have'hereunto set I my hand. v I DAVID S. BAKER.

' ment being substantiallyequal to the ratio between'theflength and thejwidth of each car} r-i'er, so th'atfthe carriers are spaced closely end-to-end duringfthe endwise movement and closely side-by-sid'e during thefsidewise movement. I V 12 Apparatus for handling materials,

comprising a plurality of-carriers each hav "ing a length greater than its width, means for moving-said carriers successively in a handling materials,

closed circuit in a part of which they are p movedendwise, and in another part of which they are moved sidew'ise, the rate of the end wise movement being greater than that of the sidewise movement', so that the carriers are spaced closely end-to-end during endwise movement andclosely side-by side during sidewise movement.)

" 13.'Apparatus for "handling materials,

comprising a plurality of carriers each of which has' a length greater than its width,

means for moving the carriers successively endwis'e at arelativelyhighspeed, and then successively sidewise at a relatively slow speed, so that the carriers are spaced closely 

